Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil

ABSTRACT

An ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil/handpiece with or without smoke evacuation that is capable of cutting with a sharp non-conductive cutting end of an electrosurgery blade and cutting and coagulating with activation of active and return contacts both contained on each side of the electrosurgery blade.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to patent application having Ser. No.15/211,270 entitled “Ultrapolar Electrosurgery Blade And UltrapolarElectrosurgery Pencil,” filed Jul. 15, 2016, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. This application claimspriority to patent application having Ser. No. 15/211,431, entitled“Ultrapolar Telescopic Electrosurgery Pencil,” filed Jul. 15, 2016,which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to an ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil/handpiece that is capable of cutting with a sharpnon-conductive cutting end of an electrosurgery blade and cutting orcoagulating with activation of active and return electrodes bothcontained on the electrosurgery blade. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil/handpiece of the present invention may also becapable of evacuating smoke and/or debris form the surgical site. Theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil/handpiece of the presentinvention includes a handpiece member with a first end and second end, ahollow telescopic member with a first end and a second end where thehollow telescopic member is concentrically positioned within the firstend of the handpiece, an electrosurgery blade with both active andreturn contacts positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopicmember, a first hollow conductive tubular member in contact with eitherthe active or return contact of the electrosurgery blade containedwithin the hollow telescopic member, a first solid cylindrical member incontact with whichever contact of the electrosurgery blade that is notin contact with the first hollow conductive tubular member and containedwithin the hollow telescopic member, a second hollow conductive tubularmember contained within the handpiece member such that at least aportion of the first solid cylindrical member is contained within atleast a portion of the second hollow conductive tubular member, and asecond solid cylindrical member contained within the handpiece membersuch that at least a portion of the second solid cylindrical member iscontained within at least a portion of the first hollow conductivetubular member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrosurgery uses an RF electrosurgical generator (also known as anelectrosurgical unit or ESU) and a handpiece with an electrode toprovide high frequency, alternating radio frequency (RF) current inputat various voltages to cut or coagulate biological tissue. The handpiecemay be a monopolar instrument with one electrode or a bipolar instrumentwith two electrodes. When using a monpolar instrument, a returnelectrode pad is attached to the patient and the high frequencyelectrical current flows from the generator, to the monopolarinstrument, through the patient to the patient return electrode pad, andback to the generator. Monopolar electrosurgery is commonly used due toits versatility and effectiveness. However, the excessive heat generatedwith monopolar electrosurgery can cause excessive tissue damage andnecrosis of the tissue because the return electrode positioned on theback of the patient causes high voltage and high RF energy to passthrough the patient.

In bipolar electrosurgery, active output and patient return functionsboth occur at the surgery site because both the active and returnelectrodes are contained in the bipolar instrument. Therefore, the pathof the electrical current is confined to the biological tissue locatedbetween the active and return electrodes. Although bipolarelectrosurgery enables the use of lower voltages and less energy andthereby reduces or eliminates the likelihood of tissue damage andsparking associated with monopolar electrosurgery, it has limitedability to cut and coagulate large bleeding areas.

Accordingly, there is a need for an electrosurgery instrument such as anelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil that allows for both cutting andcoagulation of large areas of tissue without the tissue damage and whicheliminates passing of energy through the patient. A telescopicultrapolar electrosurgery handpiece/pencil having an electrosurgeryblade with a sharp cutting edge and both active and return electrodespositioned on opposing sides of the electrosurgery blade would enableboth precise cutting and coagulation of large areas of biologicaltissue. Further, such an ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil would enable a user or surgeon to more easily andefficiently access the surgical site with enhanced viewing capability byextending the telescopic member of the handpiece/pencil as well as theultrapolar electrosurgery blade positioned within the telescopic memberof the handpiece/pencil. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil of the present invention also enables a user or surgeonto evacuate smoke and/or debris from the surgical site while being ableto perform precise cutting at the surgical site as well as cutting andcoagulation of large biological tissue areas located at the surgicalsite.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil that is capable of performing precisecutting at a surgical site as well as cutting and coagulation of largebiological tissue areas at the surgical site. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of the present invention is also capable ofeffectively and efficiently accessing a surgical site while providingenhanced visibility at the surgical site by extending the telescopicmember of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil andthe ultrapolar electrosurgery blade contained within the telescopicmember while at the same time evacuating smoke and/or debris form thesurgical site.

In one exemplary embodiment, the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil of the present invention includes a handpiece memberhaving first and second ends, a hollow telescopic member having firstand second ends with at least a portion of the hollow telescopic memberconcentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member,an electrosurgery blade having both active and return contactspositioned within the first end of the hollow telescopic member, a firsthollow conductive tubular member in contact with the active contact ofthe electrosurgery blade and contained within the hollow telescopictubular member, a first solid conductive cylindrical member in contactwith the return contact of the electrosurgery blade and contained withinthe hollow telescopic member, a second hollow conductive tubular membercontained within the handpiece member such that at least a portion ofthe first solid cylindrical member is contained within at least aportion of the second hollow conductive tubular member, and a secondsolid cylindrical member contained within the handpiece member such thatat least a portion of the second solid cylindrical member is containedwithin at least a portion of the first hollow conductive tubular member.The handpiece member may further include a smoke evacuation channel incommunication with an interior of the hollow telescopic tubular memberfor evacuating smoke and/or debris form the surgical site.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil may furtherinclude a first support member positioned within the handpiece memberwith at least a portion of the second solid conductive cylindricalmember and at least a portion of the second hollow conductive tubularmember passing through the first support member and/or a second supportmember positioned within the hollow telescopic member with at least aportion of the active contact of the electrosurgery blade and at least aportion of the return contact of the electrosurgery blade passingthrough the second support member. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil may also include a swivel memberconnected to the second end of the handpiece member to enable a vacuumtube connected to the swivel member to twist about or around anelectrical cord connected to the handpiece member thereby facilitating asurgeon's use of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil by reducing the drag or pulling down of the end of theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil opposite theelectrosurgery blade.

The first and second hollow conductive tubular members and the first andsecond solid conductive cylindrical members of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the present invention may be made ofstainless steel, copper, and/or titanium. Further, the first and secondhollow conductive tubular members may each have an insulator on theirouter surfaces.

The electrosurgery blade of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil may include a non-conductive planar member havingopposing planar sides with both an active contact and a return contacton each opposing planar side of the non-conductive planar member. Theelectrosurgery blade may further include a non-conductive sharp cuttingtip that may be formed from the non-conductive planar member and thenon-conductive sharp cutting tip and the non-conductive planar membermay comprise a ceramic material.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the presentinvention may also include a locking member to lock the hollowtelescopic tubular member in place relative to the handpiece member. Theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the presentinvention may also include at least one activation button for cuttingand at least one activation button for coagulation.

In another exemplary embodiment, the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the present invention includes ahandpiece member having first and second ends, a hollow telescopicmember having first and second ends with at least a portion of thehollow telescopic member concentrically positioned within the first endof the handpiece member, an electrosurgery blade having both active andreturn contacts positioned within the first end of the hollow telescopicmember, a first solid conductive cylindrical member in contact with theactive contact of the electrosurgery blade and contained within thehollow telescopic tubular member, a first hollow conductive tubularmember in contact with the return contact of the electrosurgery bladeand contained within the hollow telescopic tubular member, a secondsolid conductive cylindrical member contained within the handpiecemember such that at least a portion of the second solid cylindricalmember is contained within at least a portion of the first hollowconductive tubular member, and a second hollow conductive tubular membercontained within the handpiece member such that at least a portion ofthe first solid cylindrical member is contained within at least aportion of the second hollow conductive tubular member. Like thepreviously described exemplary embodiment, the handpiece member mayfurther include a smoke evacuation channel in communication with aninterior of the hollow telescopic tubular member for evacuating smokeand/or debris form the surgical site.

This second exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil may include a first support memberpositioned within the handpiece member with at least a portion of thesecond solid cylindrical member and at least a portion of the secondhollow conductive tubular member passing through the first supportmember and/or a second support member positioned within the hollowtelescopic member with at least a portion of the active contact of theelectrosurgery blade and at least a portion of the return contact of theelectrosurgery blade passing through the second support member. Thisembodiment may also include a swivel member connected to the second endof the handpiece member to enable a vacuum tube connected to the swivelmember to twist about or around an electrical cord connected to thehandpiece member thereby facilitating a surgeon's use of the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil by reducing the drag orpulling down of the end of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil opposite the electrosurgery blade.

Like the first exemplary embodiment, the first and second hollowconductive tubular members and the first and second solid conductivecylindrical members of the second exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the present invention maybe made of stainless steel, copper, and/or titanium. Further, the firstand second hollow conductive tubular members may each have an insulatoron their outer surfaces. In addition, the electrosurgery blade of thesecond exemplary embodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil may include a non-conductive planar member havingopposing planar sides with both an active contact and a return contacton each opposing planar side of the non-conductive planar member. Theelectrosurgery blade may further include a non-conductive sharp cuttingtip that may be formed from the non-conductive planar member and thenon-conductive sharp cutting tip and the non-conductive planar membermay comprise a ceramic material.

Further, like the first exemplary embodiment, the second exemplaryembodiment of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencilof the present invention may also include a locking member to lock thehollow telescopic tubular member in place relative to the handpiecemember and at least one activation button for cutting and at least oneactivation button for coagulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe appended drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote likeelements, and

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the presentinvention showing the interior components of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil as they would appear if one could seeinside of the handpiece/pencil;

FIG. 2 is the same as the view shown in FIG. 1 but with the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil shown rotated 180 degreesrelative to the swivel member of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil which is maintained in the same positionwhen the handpiece member and the hollow telescopic member of theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil are rotated 180degrees;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment ofthe ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the presentinvention showing the interior components of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil as they would appear if one could seeinside of the handpiece/pencil; and

FIG. 4 is the same as the view shown in FIG. 3 but with the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil shown rotated 180 degreesrelative to the swivel member of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil which is maintained in the same positionwhen the handpiece member and the hollow telescopic member of theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil are rotated 180degrees.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil of the present invention enable a user or surgeon toperform precise cutting as well as coagulation. The ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the present invention alsoenables simultaneous evacuation of smoke and/or debris from the surgicalsite as well as the ability to telescopically adjust the length of theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil depending on thetype of access needed to the surgical site. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil of the present invention also includes aswivel member connected to the end of the handpiece member opposite theelectrode to enable a vacuum tube connected to the swivel member totwist about or around an electrical cord connected to the handpiecemember thereby facilitating a surgeon's use of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil by reducing the drag or pulling down ofthe end of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencilduring electrosurgery. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil is used interchangeably with electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil, electrosurgery handpiece, electrosurgery pencil, andhandpiece/pencil throughout the specification and all are meant to referto the same subject of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of theultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 of the presentinvention showing the interior components of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 as they would appear if one could seeinside of the handpiece/pencil 10. Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil 10 includes a handpiece member 12 having a first end 14and a second end 16, a hollow telescopic member 18 having a first end 20and a second 22 where at least a portion of the hollow telescopic member18 is concentrically positioned within the first end 14 of handpiecemember 12, an electrosurgery blade 24 having both an active contact 26and a return contact 28 positioned within the first end 20 of hollowtelescopic member 18, a first hollow conductive tubular member 30 incontact with active contact 26 of electrosurgery blade 24 and containedwithin the hollow telescopic member 18, a first solid conductivecylindrical member 32 in contact with return contact 28 ofelectrosurgery blade 24 and contained within the hollow telescopicmember 18, a second hollow conductive tubular 34 contained within thehandpiece member 12 such that at least a portion of the first solidcylindrical member 32 is contained within at least a portion of thesecond hollow conductive tubular member 34, and a second solidconductive cylindrical member 36 contained within the handpiece member12 such that at least a portion of the second solid conductivecylindrical member 36 is contained within at least a portion of thefirst hollow conductive tubular member 30. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art that other means for connecting active contact26 and return contact 28 of electrosurgery blade 24 to a circuit boardlocated in or on handpiece member 12 for activating cutting and/orcoagulation may be utilized, such as wires each coated with aninsulator, for example, as long as the insulated wires are durable andcapable of ensuring that the respective wires connected to the activeand return contacts do not come into contact with one another. However,the solid conductive cylindrical members and the hollow conductivetubular members that are described with reference to the exemplaryembodiments shown and described herein are considered to be a superiormeans for connecting the active and return contacts of the ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade to the circuit board that enables activation ofcutting and/or coagulation with the handpiece/pencil. In addition, theutilization of the solid conductive cylindrical members and the hollowconductive tubular members that are described with reference to theexemplary embodiments shown and described herein create ahandpiece/pencil that is much less likely to be subject to failure and ahandpiece/pencil that is much less likely to malfunction and result inan injury to a patient and or a user/surgeon during use of thehandpiece/pencil.

As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, theelectrosurgery pencil/handpiece of the present invention has a handpiecemember 12 and a hollow telescopic member 18 which both have channelstherein that are in continuity with one another to enable evacuation ofsmoke and/or debris from the surgical site. During evacuation, the smokeand/or debris passes through the continuous channel and around the firstand second hollow conductive tubular members 30, 34 and the first andsecond solid conductive cylindrical members 32, 36 that are contained inthe continuous channel. In addition, a first support member 40 ispositioned within the handpiece member 12 such that at least a portionof the second solid conductive cylindrical member 36 and at least aportion of the second hollow conductive tubular member 34 pass throughthe first support member 40. Further, a second support member 42 ispositioned within the hollow telescopic member 18 such that at least aportion of the active contact 26 of electrosurgery blade 24 and at leasta portion of return contact 28 of electrosurgery blade 24 pass throughthe second support member 42. The first and second hollow conductivetubular members 30, 34 and the first and second solid conductivecylindrical members 32, 36 may be made of stainless steel, copper,and/or titanium and the outer surfaces of the first and second hollowconductive tubular members 30, 34 may each be covered with an insulator.

The electrosurgery blade 24 is an ultrapolar electrosurgery blade havinga non-conductive planar member with opposing planar sides and both anactive contact 26 and a return contact 28 on each opposing planar sideof the non-conductive planar member. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade24 further includes a non-conductive sharp cutting tip 45. Thenon-conductive sharp cutting tip 45 may be formed from thenon-conductive planar member and both may made of a ceramic material.

Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 also includes aswivel member 46 connected to the second end 16 of the handpiece member12 such that the swivel member 46 rotates relative to the handpiecemember 12. The swivel member 46 enables a vacuum tube 48 connected tothe swivel member to twist about or around an electrical cord 50connected to the handpiece member 12 thereby facilitating a surgeon'suse of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 byreducing the drag or pulling down of the end of the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 during electrosurgery.

FIG. 2 is the same as the view shown in FIG. 1 but with the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 shown rotated 180 degreesrelative to the swivel member 46 of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 which is maintained in the sameposition when the handpiece member 12 and the hollow telescopic member18 of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 arerotated 180 degrees. As can be seen in FIG. 2, ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade 24 also has a second active contact 27 and a second return contact29 located on the opposing planar side of the non-conductive planarmember that is opposite the opposing planar side that contains activecontact 26 and return contact 28. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2,active contact 26 and second active contact 27 are both in contact with,or in communication with, first hollow conductive tubular member 30 andreturn contact 28 and second return contact 29 are both in contact with,or in communication with, first solid conductive cylindrical member 32.This configuration of ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil 10 enables a user or surgeon to cut biological tissuewith non-conductive sharp cutting tip 45, coagulate biological tissuewith active contact 26 and return contact 28 on one side ofelectrosurgery blade 24, coagulate biological tissue with second activecontact 27 and second return contact 29 on the other side ofelectrosurgery blade 24, and cut with active contact 26 and returncontact 28 and with second active contact 27 and second return contact29 on electrosurgery blade 24. The ultrapolar electrosurgery blade 24 isfurther described in detail in applicant's concurrently filed patentapplication entitled “Ultrapolar Electrosurgery Blade and UltrapolarElectrosurgery Pencil” which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10 alsoincludes a locking member 60 to lock the hollow telescopic member 18 inplace relative to the handpiece member 12. In addition, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 10also includes at least one activation button 70 for cutting and at leastone activation button 72 for coagulation.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment ofthe ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 of thepresent invention showing the interior components of the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 as they would appear ifone could see inside of the handpiece/pencil 100. Ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 includes a handpiece member 112having a first end 114 and a second end 116, a hollow telescopic member118 having a first end 120 and a second 122 where at least a portion ofthe hollow telescopic member 118 is concentrically positioned within thefirst end 114 of handpiece member 112, an electrosurgery blade 124having both an active contact 126 and a return contact 128 positionedwithin the first end 120 of hollow telescopic member 118, a first solidconductive cylindrical member 130 in contact with active contact 126 ofelectrosurgery blade 124 and contained within the hollow telescopicmember 118, a first hollow conductive tubular member 132 in contact withreturn contact 128 of electrosurgery blade 124 and contained within thehollow telescopic member 118, a second solid conductive cylindricalmember 134 contained within the handpiece member 112 such that at leasta portion of the second solid conductive cylindrical member 134 iscontained within at least a portion of the first hollow conductivetubular member 132, and a second hollow conductive tubular member 136contained within the handpiece member 112 such that at least a portionof the first solid conductive cylindrical member 130 is contained withinat least a portion of the second hollow conductive tubular member 136.It will be understood by those skilled in the art that other means forconnecting active contact 126 and return contact 128 of electrosurgeryblade 124 to a circuit board located in or on handpiece member 112 foractivating cutting and/or coagulation may be utilized, such as wireseach coated with an insulator, for example, as long as the insulatedwires are durable and capable of ensuring that the respective wiresconnected to the active and return contacts do not come into contactwith one another. However, the solid conductive cylindrical members andthe hollow conductive tubular members that are described with referenceto the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein are consideredto be a superior means for connecting the active and return contacts ofthe ultrapolar electrosurgery blade to the circuit board that enablesactivation of cutting and/or coagulation with the handpiece/pencil. Inaddition, the utilization of the solid conductive cylindrical membersand the hollow conductive tubular members that are described withreference to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein createa handpiece/pencil that is much less likely to be subject to failure anda handpiece/pencil that is much less likely to malfunction and result inan injury to a patient and or a user/surgeon during use of thehandpiece/pencil.

As can be seen in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, theelectrosurgery pencil/handpiece 100 of the present invention has ahandpiece member 112 and a hollow telescopic member 118 which both havechannels therein that are in continuity with one another to enableevacuation of smoke and/or debris from the surgical site. Duringevacuation, the smoke and/or debris passes through the continuouschannel and around the first and second solid conductive cylindricalmembers 130, 134 and the first and second hollow conductive tubularmembers 132, 136 that are contained in the continuous channel. Inaddition, a first support member 140 is positioned within the handpiecemember 112 such that at least a portion of the second solid conductivecylindrical member 134 and at least a portion of the second hollowconductive tubular member 136 pass through the first support member 140.Further, a second support member 142 is positioned within the hollowtelescopic member 118 such that at least a portion of the active contact126 of electrosurgery blade 124 and at least a portion of return contact128 of electrosurgery blade 124 pass through the second support member142. The first and second hollow conductive tubular members 132, 136 andthe first and second solid conductive cylindrical members 130, 134 maybe made of stainless steel, copper, and/or titanium and the outersurfaces of the first and second hollow conductive tubular members 132,136 may each be covered with an insulator.

The electrosurgery blade 124 is an ultrapolar electrosurgery bladehaving a non-conductive planar member with opposing planar sides andboth an active contact 126 and a return contact 128 on each opposingplanar side of the non-conductive planar member. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery blade 124 further includes a non-conductive sharp cuttingtip 145. The non-conductive sharp cutting tip 145 may be formed from thenon-conductive planar member and both may made of a ceramic material.

Ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 also includesa swivel member 146 connected to the second end 116 of the handpiecemember 112 such that the swivel member 146 rotates relative to thehandpiece member 112. The swivel member 146 enables a vacuum tube 148connected to the swivel member to twist about or around an electricalcord 150 connected to the handpiece member 112 thereby facilitating asurgeon's use of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece/pencil 100 by reducing the drag or pulling down of the end ofthe ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 duringelectrosurgery.

FIG. 4 is the same as the view shown in FIG. 3 but with the ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 shown rotated 180 degreesrelative to the swivel member 146 of the ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 which is maintained in the sameposition when the handpiece member 112 and the hollow telescopic member118 of the ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 arerotated 180 degrees. As can be seen in FIG. 4, ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade 124 also has a second active contact 127 and a second returncontact 129 located on the opposing planar side of the non-conductiveplanar member that is opposite the opposing planar side that containsactive contact 126 and return contact 128. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and4, active contact 126 and second active contact 127 are both in contactwith, or in communication with, first solid conductive cylindricalmember 130 and return contact 128 and second return contact 129 are bothin contact with, or in communication with, first hollow conductivetubular member 132. This configuration of ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 enables a user or surgeon to cutbiological tissue with non-conductive sharp cutting tip 145, coagulatebiological tissue with active contact 126 and return contact 128 on oneside of electrosurgery blade 124, coagulate biological tissue withsecond active contact 127 and second return contact 129 on the otherside of electrosurgery blade 124, and cut with active contact 126 andreturn contact 128 and with second active contact 127 and second returncontact 129 on electrosurgery blade 124. The ultrapolar electrosurgeryblade 124 is further described in detail in applicant's concurrentlyfiled patent application entitled “Ultrapolar Electrosurgery Blade andUltrapolar Electrosurgery Pencil” which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100 alsoincludes a locking member 160 to lock the hollow telescopic member 118in place relative to the handpiece member 112. In addition, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery handpiece/pencil 100also includes at least one activation button 170 for cutting and atleast one activation button 172 for coagulation.

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the inventionherein shows various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Theseexemplary embodiments and modes are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and are notintended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of theinvention in any way. Rather, the following disclosure is intended toteach both the implementation of the exemplary embodiments and modes andany equivalent modes or embodiments that are known or obvious to thosereasonably skilled in the art. Additionally, all included examples arenon-limiting illustrations of the exemplary embodiments and modes, whichsimilarly avail themselves to any equivalent modes or embodiments thatare known or obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art.

Other combinations and/or modifications of structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used inthe practice of the instant invention, in addition to those notspecifically recited, can be varied or otherwise particularly adapted tospecific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters,or other operating requirements without departing from the scope of theinstant invention and are intended to be included in this disclosure.

Unless specifically noted, it is the Applicant's intent that the wordsand phrases in the specification and the claims be given the commonlyaccepted generic meaning or an ordinary and accustomed meaning used bythose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. In the instance wherethese meanings differ, the words and phrases in the specification andthe claims should be given the broadest possible, generic meaning. Ifany other special meaning is intended for any word or phrase, thespecification will clearly state and define the special meaning.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil comprising: a handpiece member having a first end and a secondend; a hollow telescopic member having a first end and a second endwherein at least a portion of the hollow telescopic member isconcentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member;an electrosurgery blade positioned within the first end of the hollowtelescopic member such that a passageway exists around theelectrosurgery blade that is in communication with an area outside thefirst end of the hollow telescopic member, wherein the electrosurgeryblade includes a non-conductive planar member having two opposing sidesand a sharp cutting tip, a first active contact and a first returncontact located on one of the opposing planar sides wherein a portion ofthe first active contact surrounds a portion of the first returncontact, and a second active contact and a second return contact locatedon the other opposing planar side wherein a portion of the second returncontact surrounds a portion of the second active contact; a first hollowconductive tubular member in contact with the first active contact ofthe electrosurgery blade and contained within the hollow telescopictubular member; a first solid conductive cylindrical member in contactwith the first return contact of the electrosurgery blade and containedwithin the hollow telescopic member; a second hollow conductive tubularmember contained within the handpiece member such that at least aportion of the first solid cylindrical member is contained within atleast a portion of the second hollow conductive tubular member; and asecond solid conductive cylindrical member contained within thehandpiece member such that at least a portion of the second solidconductive cylindrical member is contained within at least a portion ofthe first hollow conductive tubular member.
 2. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein the handpiece member furthercomprises a smoke evacuation channel in communication with an interiorof the hollow telescopic tubular member for evacuating at least one ofsmoke and debris from the surgical site.
 3. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of claim 2 further comprising a first supportmember positioned within the handpiece member and having at least aportion of the second solid conductive cylindrical member and at least aportion of the second hollow conductive tubular member passingtherethrough.
 4. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil ofclaim 3 further comprising a second support member positioned within thehollow telescopic member and having at least a portion of the first andsecond active contacts of the electrosurgery blade and at least aportion of the first and second return contacts of the electrosurgeryblade passing therethrough.
 5. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil of claim 3 further comprising a swivel member connected to thesecond end of the handpiece member.
 6. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of claim 3 wherein the first and second hollowconductive tubular members each comprise an insulator on their outersurfaces.
 7. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 3wherein the first and second hollow conductive tubular members and thefirst and second solid conductive cylindrical members comprise at leastone of stainless steel, copper, and titanium.
 8. The ultrapolartelescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 3 further comprising a lockingmember to lock the hollow telescopic tubular member in place relative tothe handpiece member.
 9. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgeryhandpiece of claim 3 wherein the handpiece comprises at least oneactivation button for cutting and at least one activation button forcoagulation.
 10. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil ofclaim 3 wherein the electrosurgery blade further comprises anon-conductive sharp cutting tip.
 11. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of claim 10 wherein the non-conductive sharpcutting tip comprises a ceramic material.
 12. An ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil comprising: a handpiece having a first end andsecond end; a hollow telescopic tubular member having a first end and asecond end wherein at least a portion of the hollow telescopic member isconcentrically positioned within the first end of the handpiece member;an electrosurgery blade positioned within the first end of the hollowtelescopic tubular member such that a passageway exists around theelectrosurgery blade that is in communication with an area outside thefirst end of the hollow telescopic member, wherein the electrosurgeryblade includes a non-conductive planar member having two opposing sidesand a sharp cutting tip, a first active contact and a first returncontact located on one of the opposing planar sides wherein a portion ofthe first active contact surrounds a portion of the first returncontact, and a second active contact and a second return contact locatedon the other opposing planar side wherein a portion of the second returncontact surrounds a portion of the second active contact; a first solidconductive cylindrical member in contact with the first active contactof the electrosurgery blade and contained within the hollow telescopictubular member; a first hollow conductive tubular member in contact withthe first return contact of the electrosurgery blade and containedwithin the hollow telescopic tubular member; a second solid conductivecylindrical member contained within the handpiece member such that atleast a portion of the second solid cylindrical member is containedwithin at least a portion of the first hollow conductive tubular member;and a second hollow conductive tubular member contained within thehandpiece member such that at least a portion of the first solidcylindrical member is contained within at least a portion of the secondhollow conductive tubular member.
 13. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of the claim 12 wherein the handpiece memberfurther comprises a smoke evacuation channel in communication with aninterior of the hollow telescopic tubular member for evacuating at leastone of smoke and debris form the surgical site.
 14. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil of claim 13 further comprising a first supportmember positioned within the handpiece member and having at least aportion of the second solid cylindrical member and at least a portion ofthe second hollow conductive tubular member passing therethrough. 15.The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 14 furthercomprising a second support member positioned within the hollowtelescopic member and having at least a portion of the first and secondactive contacts of the electrosurgery blade and at least a portion ofthe first and second return contacts of the electrosurgery blade passingtherethrough.
 16. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil ofclaim 14 further comprising a swivel member connected to the second endof the handpiece member.
 17. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil of claim 14 wherein the first and second hollow conductivetubular members each comprise an insulator on their outer surfaces. 18.The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgery pencil of claim 14 furthercomprising a locking member to lock the hollow telescopic tubular memberin place relative to the handpiece member.
 19. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery handpiece of claim 14 wherein the handpiece comprises atleast one activation button for cutting and at least one activationbutton for coagulation.
 20. The ultrapolar telescopic electrosurgerypencil of claim 14 wherein the electrosurgery blade further comprises anon-conductive sharp cutting tip.
 21. The ultrapolar telescopicelectrosurgery pencil of claim 20 wherein the non-conductive sharpcutting tip comprises a ceramic material.
 22. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil of claim 1 wherein a portion of the first returncontact is positioned within a hook shaped portion of the first activecontact on the one opposing planar side and a portion of the secondactive contact is positioned within a hook shaped portion of the secondreturn contact on the other opposing planar side.
 23. The ultrapolarelectrosurgery pencil of claim 12 wherein a portion of the first returncontact is positioned within a hook shaped portion of the first activecontact on the one opposing planar side and a portion of the secondactive contact is positioned within a hook shaped portion of the secondreturn contact on the other opposing planar side.